You could leave the armhole alone and just add some width to the side seams at waist and just taper that up to the armhole without actually changing the armhole at all.

You could also probably in the front or back of a bodice, stick in some tucks or pleats or such that were sewn in and then were released at some point, even some sewn down and released shoulder tucks, keeping the width of the shoulders the same. You could add in some inserts or godets anyplace on the bodice just avoiding all arm holes and shoulders too.

It's just fabric, so you can add some in or put some in anyplace you want. If you want to enlarge something and keep the same style lines then, and have something look just the same as before though, then how you do that, gets a bit more limited.

Here is the method I am most familiar with from Palmer/Pletsch. You cut and clip the side front into 4 pieces, keeping the armhole seam intact and rotate those pieces. It's explained in detail in the book, "Fit for Real People" or in their video, "Full Busted? Sew Clothes that Fit"

I do a slight variation from their method, I copy the pattern pieces onto pattern paper and make my pin fittings and alterations there. And then redraw and fit again until it does fit. Having the original untouched, I can copy it again.

There is a posting

Quote: Pivot and slide for FBA (Tip/Technique)

that is in the Sewing Tips and Techniques section of this web site. The poster explains this better than I did. -- Edited on 7/14/13 4:53 PM --

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.